Taking My Son on a Plane.

When my daughter was really little like that, I use to have to take her with me when I flew out to CO for reserve duty. I just made sure that I gave her some tylenol before we took off and that she either had a bottle or a pacifier to suck on to try to pop her ears like we would with a piece of gum or something. It worked like a charm...never had any problems with her ears hurting her. As for toys, I would just take a few of his favorites. There's gonna be so much new stuff to look, but familiar stuff is nice too.

Also, check at the desk when you are checking in...if the seat next to yours is open, they usually let you take the carseat with you so that the baby can be strapped in too. And if you would like to take your stroller for at the airport, and especially for your layover, they can gate check it for you. They just tag it at the gate and stow it and then they bring it back up for you right away when you get to your destination. You can also have two carry-ons, so I found that it was nice to take the big diaper bag and a larger purse so you have extra room for a couple baby outfits and a clean shirt for yourself (accidents happen when you have little ones). Plus the extra toys and bottles and whatnot...it's just nice to have the extra space if you might need it.

Hope this helped!
R. A.

Our latest road trip was the best yet when we used the Taby Tray. It can be used on a plane as well - as it is so difficult for children to use the tray - it doesn't reach them.

It kept our daughter busy for hours. She was able to use it for snacks as well as having a surface to play on. I love the cupholder and crayon holders, as I am not having to pick these up from the floor anymore. She even drew on it with crayon and we could wash it off with soap/water. Great for short trips also.

The tray is sturdy and very simple to attach. It works great on our stroller as well --- we use it at the mall --- makes shopping/eating there enjoyable!!!

I will be buying another when when we have our next one, as I will have 2 kids close in age to contend with!

You can get the Taby Tray online for the best price at www.kidscornershop.com. Hope this helps.

Bring lots of food, diapers, and toys. Over-prepare.. you never know when a 6 hr layover will turn into a 7 or 8 hr layover. Oh and hope for the best (when my daughter was 3 months old, we took a flight and were seated next to an unpleasant individual who didn't like children... not a great 3 hours). And don't forget a stroller... not so neccesary for the flight, but a lifesaver for the layover.

Hi- I remember traveling by plane when my daughter was about that age. I took everything but the kitchen sink and was MISERABLE! Don't skimp on diapers, formula, etc. but remember that many everyday items can be interesting to a kid that age. I took WAY too many toys and had a tough time in the airport. But, we are firm believers in kids having their carseat on the plane, so I had her carseat in tow, too. We choose for our kids to never fly in our laps, which may mean taking fewer trips. Their safety is more important than a vacation any day.

Good luck and try to have a sense of humor during the trip. Some people are rude, but many more are friendly and empathetic, because they remember "those days".

J.

Ive taken my son with me on a plane twice...the best advice I can give you is to make sure lil one is sucking on a bottle or a binkie or something so that the pressure in his/her ears doesn't become a problem. Other than that, just make sure to bring some toys to play with...

L., make sure you have enough bottles with you. Small children cannot tell you that their little ears are popping but if they have a bottle it will stop the pressure in their ears while the plan is taking off and landing. I learned that from an experienced Mom when my daughter was 5 months old. She started to scream when the plan took off. The sweet lady sitting across from me asked me if I had a bottle and to give it to her. I did and she stopped crying. The two hour lay over is the hard one at that age just make sure you have some toys and snacks.

Hope this helps
C.

I took my son on a plane when he was 5 months old and again when he was 6 months old. He did great both times. If you are breastfeeding, feed him during takeoff and landing and that will help the ear popping issue. You can also give him a bottle or a pacifier. I brought books and small toys to entertain him. He was also entertained by all the people around.

I flew from TN to Cali with my 4 month old. I did get him his own seat. (I do if the flight is longer than 2-3 hours.) But if you aren't doing that a friend of mine recommends bringing some safety pins so that you can pin a blanket to the seat in front of you and behind you to give you a little privacy, especially if you are nursing. and ditto to what everybody said about take-off and landing.

I kept what I took on board for baby to a minimum. My little one was so interested in everything around him that toys weren't needed. I use a backpack for a diaperbag/carry-on to keep my hands free during layovers.

Also, most airlines will gate-check a stroller. So, if you're taking one anyways, it's handy to have during lay-overs. My baby and I loved the baby bjorn.

You're going to have so much fun! It's great to watch how they take in all of the new experiences. Enjoy and have a safe trip!!!!

ps - be sure to read up on the 3 oz rule.

I have been flying with my daughter just about every month since she was 8 weeks old-she is 9 months now! 4 months is a good age since he will probably sleep most of the time. When you take off make sure he is sucking on something, but more important, YOU MUST WAKE HIM AND HAVE HIM SUCKING ON SOMETHING DURING DESENT! The plane will desend faster than take off which could really hurt his little ears. I would sing silly songs to my daughter if she started to get crabby (people would rather hear you sing than the baby cry!) and do whatever normally keeps him content at home. Good luck!

L.,
First of all Thank you for what you are doing so that your Hubby can fight for our country and keep us safe here at home so that we all can get back on an airplane. As for the flying with a child I have done it twice but my daughter was a bit older. But like the others have said you need to feed your baby on take offs and landings it will help. Also if you have the money you may want to take your baby's car seat. We did that the last time we had to fly and it was a lot of work but it was better for her. She had a seat of her own. The fist time we did it we did not and she was on my lap all the way and she was not happy and the people in furnt of use did not make it any better. They would lay back on her and she would get mad and it was not good at all. Also a stroller in the airport is a Must it will give her some time to be out of your arms if you are going to hold her. Also it will give you a brake. Also you may want to call your airline and see what they have to say I know we did that and got some good tips. I hope that has helped you in some way. My God bless you and your family. Have a safe tripe.

K. K.

All the advise given so far has been great. When my daughter was 3 months we took her to AZ, and with the layover it was an all day affair. The infant tylenol is a lifesaver, and feeding during takeoff and landing worked well, she never even flinched. Bring your stroller for sure and have them gate check it-I carried my baby in a sling and used the stroller for all our stuff! :) Above all, let him stretch out if you can (a couple of blankets on the floor during our layover worked for me), Those baby seats can make them feel cramped after too long. Good luck on your trip!

If you are nursing him just nurse on take off and landing because it will relieve the pressure in the ears. If not I would contact a chiropractor before you go so they can show you a technique to relieve the pressure.

We flew from Atlanta to Portland, OR when my daughter was four months old. She still slept a lot. I tried to keep her up for a while before the plane took off. I nursed her to sleep. I think a bottle would work just the same. The sucking sensation helps with pressure. When you have your layover, try to keep him up and entertained. Bring something with bright colors or that you know pleases him right now. Schedule's are so important for a little one. Try to get him into a schedule similar to the one you will travel with. Remember, it is ok for a baby to cry and unfortunatly if your child cries a little on the plane it is just going to happen. Main advice: Food and sleep. She slept across my lap and stayed content for most of the trip.